Thursday, February 28, 2013

Tonight Pastor Davis continued with the second part of Family Relationships based on Colossians 3:19. I learned a lot from the last lesson that was geared towards the wife. Tonight's was towards the husband. Pastor taught that the marriage is the supreme relationship. Our marriage is a mirror relationship between Jesus and the church. Types and Shadows are important to God and the married life is exactly that to the world. The wife is to be submissive and the husband is to be the leader. In Colossians it tells the husband to be kind and not harsh to his wife. He needs to love her with an agape love and it is to be a choice to love her. The husband has authority, but this has nothing to do with being superior, it has to do with order. Ephesians 5:23-24. Pastor then gave a breakdown on the roll of a husband in the marriage..they are as follows: 1. Husbands are never commanded to tyrannize or dominate their wife, they are to demonstrate love and kindness. 2. Headship is never portrayed as a means for self-satisfaction for self-exaltation. Leadership is for the benefit of those you lead. 3. Spiritual headship is not the power of a superior over an inferior. Husband and Wife are equals in God's eyes and it is a wise husband who listens to his wife's advice and viewpoint on things. 4. Leadership is never to be identified with issuing commands nor does it mean that a husband must make every decision in the home. 5. Headship is not a right it's a responsibility. God will hold every husband accountable on that he makes his decision based not only on his desires, but accountable to his leadership of his family. 6. Headship is not being served, it's serving others. Mather 20:27-28. The husband is to love his wife and be kind to her and to help her become everything she can be for the kingdom of God. Pastor recommended that every couple read a book called The Five Love Languages because it will help the husband to know the things that make his wife tick and it will help the wife find out what makes her husband tick. I Corinthians 13 is known as the love chapter and gives great guidance on having a healthy married life. He ended with it's a voluntary choice for the husband to choose to love their wife and a continuous action/process.Couples will never fully find satisfaction with each other for only Jesus can satisfy.
God is Good!

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Today RJ came home from school and told me that he really wanted God to give him a brother or sister because he was lonely. My mother's heart cried silently to the Lord and once again asked him to give us another child. I told him that we need to keep praying and God will answer his prayer. Thankfully I had arranged for a play date with three of his friends from church. He happens to have a huge crush on one of them and I think it's mutual, so he was thrilled to know they were coming over. We had such a good time. I say we, because I enjoyed chatting with their mom..wow adult conversations with a female...it was very nice. RJ ran around until he almost dropped. He truly had a wonderful time with them. I'm thankful for our play-date today.
God is Good!

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

I wanted to take this time to give you an update on my Father-in-law. We give thanks that he seems to be doing much better. The doctors are giving him treatment for his MDS and they seem to be working. RJ's blood test results came back wonderful and he is still gaining weight. He does need more protein, so we are working on that. We are still not yet pregnant, but I believe it will happen in God's perfect time. It's a comfort to know that no matter what life throws at you, when you are walking with the Lord, He carries you. God is there in the mountaintop and He is there in the valley. I give HIM praise!
God is Good!

Monday, February 25, 2013

Tonight I wanted to share these scriptures with you:
2 Corinthians 5:7 - (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)
Hebrews 11:6 - But without faith [it is] impossible to please [him]: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and [that] he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
2 Corinthians 4:16-18 - For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward [man] is renewed day by day.
Hebrews 11:1-40 - Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Acts 2:38 - Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. -this takes huge steps of faith..total surrender to God
When we live our life trusting in God and not focusing on what may or may not be going on around us...we keep our eyes on Christ and He then is moved by our faith..do you believe that with God nothing is too hard? Allow your faith to grow and watch God do wonders in your life and around you.
God is Good!

Sunday, February 24, 2013

We finally arrived home this evening from our road trip to TN. We had a wonderful time with my mom, David and Ross. On the way home, we saw a billboard advertising a Titanic Museum. Bob and RJ really are interested in the story about the Titanic, so it should be of no surprise that we stopped to see it. I enjoyed watching them get excited about the artifacts that were on display. When we reached the grand staircase, RJ was so excited he could hardly stand still. Due to his excitement, one of the "crew" gave RJ a badge declaring him an honorary crew member of the Titanic..that sent RJ over the moon. When we got in the car he was declaring how the day was the best day of his life. Father and son were able to explore and see something they are both very interested in..this is one trip, I don't thing either will ever forget.
We received news that today during church 10 people were baptized and 5 received the Holy Ghost. Six of those baptized were baptized before church even started...awesome things are happening in NY!
God is Good!

Thursday, February 21, 2013

RJ happens to love boats. Today we came across a wooden rainbow painted boat made for the bath. He is so thrilled to take a bath with his new boat that floats perfectly in his bath. Its nice to know he gets excited over the simplest things. We have one more day with my mom and the boys. Bob will be joining us tomorrow and then we will say our goodbyes. Hopefully I have soaked up enough of my mom to carry me until I see her again.
God is good!

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Tonight rj and I attended church with my mom and the boys. I enjoy visiting them. Everyone is very friendly. It was super nice to see the Freeman's tonight. Rj had such a good time in their kids church that he declared he was moving to TN when he grew up. It was cute. Bro. DePriest preached a lesson on the cost of greatness. His Scripture was based on Mark 10: 17-24. God will often ask us to give up the thing we treasure most. He wants to know if you lost everything, would you still serve Him. Also the pastor talked about there comes a time when we need to stop, rest and eat. We can become overwhelmed at times and need to take a step back. Most of the time when we think we are done, God still has something else for us and gives us the strength to do it. We give Him everything and that is everything. I would like to ask for your prayers for their pastor. He has Parkinson's disease and I would like to pray for God to work a miracle in his life.
We are having a great time. RJ is having so much fun.
God is good!

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

We arrived safely to TN. Rj, Mozart and I are happily with my mom and the boys. Bob is on his way to VA. I say a huge thank you to my friend for watching our house and feeding the cat & fish. Tonight we went to chucky cheese. RJ was so excited he was shaking. I'm thankful for this time with my family. I'm going to soak it up.
God is good!

Monday, February 18, 2013

We are on a road trip to Virginia / Tennessee. Rj has winter break this week so we are tagging along with Bob. I packed lots of stuff to keep rj entertained. He didn't use any of them. He was happy to look out the window. Here are two of his observations : " oh look at the sky. The sky is Gods easel to make pretty paintings." The night sky was clear and we heard rj exclaim ," oh look at the constellation! It looks like an upside down spoon. Oh I just love looking at constellations." We enjoyed hearing him sing most of the way and his happiness at seeing the stars,made it all the more special.
God is good!

Saturday, February 16, 2013

Tonight Bob and I had our Valentine's dinner. Since we are in NJ, we went to a nice quiet place known for their hamburgers. On the menu they had heart shaped raviolis! They were delicious. I always enjoy time with Bob. I'm thankful for the simple love filled moments.
God is good!

Friday, February 15, 2013

Today as RJ and I were chatting he tells me that there are more numbers than alphabets because the last number is infinity ..
And you can't count that since there are just too many numbers! .
I love my smart boy.
GOD is good!

Thursday, February 14, 2013

Today the world celebrated Valentines Day or as my pastor likes to say..sweethearts day. We started our morning with discovering the wonderful things that the love bug brought. RJ was super excited to see his gifts. At RJ's school his class was having breakfast with the parents, so we along with Grammy and Grampy enjoyed breakfast with the Kindergartners..it was a lovely time. Tonight in church pastor Davis taught on Corinthians 3:17-19. His title for tonight's lesson was " A House Ordered of the Lord." We are to do all things in the name of the Lord Jesus and should conduct our lives according to God's authority. There are three types of authority structures that are given to us. They are: 1. Societal Governments. 2. The Church and 3. The Family.
Tonight he focused on the wife's roll and will continue on the husbands' roll next time he teaches. We are to submit to the authority over us as long as it does not interfere with God's law. The foundation of society is in the family unit. Many reasons for the problems we have in our world today is due to the family unit not being intact. God is not concerned about being politically correct, He's simply correct. In our present day and age, the teachings of a wife being submissive to her husband is shunned. It's biblical for the wife to submit, she is to be loved and cared for by her husband as well. With the help of God a women can be submissive and have a healthy marriage and be happy. Pastor was not teaching that we are to be a doormat..it was good teaching. It has been a nice day filled with love. My boy is so sweet and has been showering me with love all day. Tonight, I will cuddle with my husband and we will share the box of chocolates he bought me today..yummy!
God is Good!

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Today my father-in-law had some extensive testing done and the results were that he does have cancer. However...it is treatable without having to use chemotherapy. We are giving thanks to the Lord and are so grateful that we will have him around for a long while. He is a good man and puts God first. We went to our healer Jesus Christ and I truly believe God is going to heal him of this cancer. I thank God that it's not the worst it could be and that he will be ok.
God is Good!

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Today RJ went to the doctor to see if he had gained any weight..he gained 1 pound! We are so happy, thrilled and thankful.
On another note I would like to leave you with these scriptures today.
2 Corinthians 4:18 - While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen [are] temporal; but the things which are not seen [are] eternal.
Luke 1:37 - For with God nothing shall be impossible.
God is Good!

Monday, February 11, 2013

Today it has been raining on and off and I don't think I even saw the sun shine through the dense clouds. However, we were given a silver lining in the clouds today. My Father-in-law is going to be seen at a very good hospital here in New York. We thought we were going to have to wait a while to get him in, but he will be seen this week. Also, the doctors told us,that things are changing..yes changing and we have a chance of having another baby. I know we serve a God who is a healer. I blogged last night about going to the source. On a daily basis I have been going to my source-Jesus Christ in regards to our very big needs..and He has and is hearing us. We are trusting in the Lord in with our future child and pray that things will change in as well with Bob's dad. NOTHING is impossible for God..for with Him all things are possible! If you have been praying for us and for my father-in-law, I want to say thank you. I don't know what we are going to hear in regards to my father-in-law's health, but I do know who holds his future and that is Jesus..in Him, we place all our hope and trust.
God is Good!

Sunday, February 10, 2013

Today we had a guest speaker, Bro. Linder from Ohio. I REALLY appreciated his sermon today. He talked about how Jesus is the source. He gave many examples of how Jesus is all that we need as an answer to our life situations. I have grown up in church, I know this, but it was such a refreshing reminder and much needed. Life can get us down and if we focus on the situation, we can forget to call on the source that can get us through anything. Jesus..there is such power in that name. You can breath it out in a whisper and it will hold the same power if you scream it out at the top of your lungs. Jesus..the answer to all things and all situations. Jesus, just the mention of His name and all of a sudden you become changed even when your situation has not changed. As I blogged several days ago, we recived news that my Father-in-law is not well. He is taking it in stride and has peace that can only come from God. We are so very sad,and yet we were strenghted today..because we tapped into the source-Jesus. I came in this morning feeling so sad and was trying very hard to push above my emotions..hey I am human...then when Sis. Jennifer sang with the choir.."When I Speak Your Name.."The tears were allowed to flow freely and my heart was opened fully to the source...Jesus. I left today encouraged, knowing that even though I don't know what the future may hold, I know who's hands our life is in..Jesus.
God is good!

Saturday, February 09, 2013

This morning we woke up to a world very covered with snow. RJ was thrilled and could hardly wait to get outside to build a snowman and use his new red shovel. When we went to open the back door we realized the snow was so high that the door was stuck. Bob and RJ went out the front to shovel the sidewalk and to measure the snow (homework was to measure the snow with a special stick.)The snow was taller than his stick, our measurements came to about 13 inches. We had a lot of fun building a snowman and shoveling the snow. RJ made all kinds of paths in the backyard for his dog to run around in since the snow is higher than Mozart. Inside was a day of hot chocolate, baking cookies and chicken/rice soup. Many other areas of Long Island received up to 3 feet of snow..that is a lot of snow for us! Thankfully our power did not go out and today was a positive day for us. Hopefully there will still be church tomorrow, as long as all the snow is plowed. For now, I will cuddle with my husband and enjoy this evening that God has given us.
God is Good!

Friday, February 08, 2013

Last night there were gas lines, tonight I saw gas stations that had run out of gas. Most of the day it snowed, rained, sleeted and snowed again, but nothing truly stuck. Around 4 in the afternoon the snow started to stick and by 6 pm we already had 4 inches of snow. RJ was excited and his homework for the weekend was to measure the snow and, he took his measuring stick and went for a walk around the neighborhood and measured the snow. Now it is almost 11pm and there is a lot more snow outside and it's still snowing. Thankfully we still have our electricity, some people have already lost their power. I hope when we wake up, our house is still nice and warm and we have our electricity. My husband says that the weather reports are saying the worse is still yet to come. The morning will tell. For now, I will lay my head down to rest in peace, knowing in whom I have placed my trust.
God is Good!

Thursday, February 07, 2013

Tonight Bro Joe taught on "Red Sea Impossibilities". He based it on Exodus 14:8-20. Many times our impossible situation needs divine intervention. Our trials are an opportunity for God to show us and those around us how great He is. He encouraged us in the Lord to know that God knows where we are at and that as long as we keep God first, God will get us through.
As you may be aware, a snow storm of blizzard like conditions has been predicted for us starting tomorrow morning and be full swing by tomorrow night. This storm has been given the name Nemo..so we shall see what Nemo brings us tomorrow. I will say, that every gas station I drove by this evening had a long line of cars. People are panicking, thanks to bad memories of Hurricane Sandy. RJ is predicting the power is going to go out..I sure hope he is wrong. The last thing we need to have is no heat with snow on the ground. Either way, I will take tonight's lessons to heart and know that God will be with us.
God is Good!

Wednesday, February 06, 2013

One of the best parts of living a life with God in it, is the peace that comes during hard times. Even though we are dealing with sad news, we have hope in a God that we know can heal. I truly believe that we will have a good report in the not too distant future, because God is able. Due to having complete trust in the Lord we are able to live our lives with joy in our hearts because peace reigns. Tonight Bob and RJ had a daddy night..they went out and just played. Both came home with a twinkle in their eyes. I thanked God for this..a twinkle in their eyes.
God is Good!

Tuesday, February 05, 2013

Today we received a phone call that stopped us in our tracks. My Father-in-law has been sick for a while now and the doctors have given him test after test. Today they discovered that he may have the beginning stages of cancer. What he has been diagnosed with is something that can lead to cancer, it all depends on how bad it is. We have a God who is able and we know He can heal, It's good to know Jesus in times like these. Today was a reminder to spend time with those that you love..you are one phone call away from learning you may not have them as long as you would like.
God is still good!

Monday, February 04, 2013

Romans 8:31 - What shall we then say to these things? If God [be] for us, who [can be] against us? A while back Bro. Walker preached a sermon on "These Things"...I just want to remind myself and all of you..that no matter what type of "these things" that are going in your life...if God is for you, who can be against you? The answer is: Romans 8:35Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.37Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.38For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,39Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
There you have it...NOTHING can separate you from the love of God..HE loves you, cares for you..you can and will have Victory in Jesus!
God is Good!

Sunday, February 03, 2013

Today Bro. Levine preached for us. He preached about when Jesus cried out during the feast at the tabernacle. He cried out to the people that if they thirsted to come to him and eat and drink. He was passionate for the people to find what they needed in Him. The presence of God was very strong today. You could feel Him reaching out to those who were desperate for God to do a miracle in their life. Eight people were baptized in the precious name of Jesus today..EIGHT people..wow...I stand in awe. God is all and everything you need. Even when what you are going through does not seem to be changing..He is there to give you grace to get through it.
God is Good!

Saturday, February 02, 2013

Holidays are always a fun time in our house. RJ was looking forward to February with great anticipation because the Love Bug comes while he is in school on the first day of February. Of course he knows I am the Love Bug and proceeded to sing about it this Friday while on our weekly date at Starbucks. He serenaded to everyone about how his mommy is the Love Bug and how much he just loves her so much. It was very cute and thankfully everyone enjoyed it. When he came home, he was happy to see all the Valentines decorations that were hidden all over the house. Today, RJ decided to be the Love Bug to me...he and his daddy went "out" for a hair cut and when they returned my boy lavished me with "gifts" which were mostly paper hearts and a pretty fake flower that will never die. It was really cute the things he picked out to show his love for me. They even brought a craft project home and we enjoyed painting hearts together. The whole entire day was a very happy and peaceful one. A simple day that was wrapped up in love for one another. If RJ keeps this up and the Lord tarries, his wife is going to be one loved on lady! For now, I will soak it all up.
God is Good!

Friday, February 01, 2013

Tonight our church had Sheaves For Christ Rally. Awards were giving out to those who had raised money for SFC and I was thrilled to hear Bethel won first place. The youth did a great job leading the worship and it truly was a good service. The guest speaker was Bro. Levine and let me tell you he was outstanding. He preached on are you a "Warrior or a Wimp" It reminded me of the old time preaching I used to hear as a kid growing up. The kind that cause you to rise up and chose to fight for what is right as a Christian. It was good to see so many young people making the choice to stand up and be a Warrior for Christ. We don't fight with weapons and guns, we fight in the spiritual by prayer. We stand strong for what the Bible says and we do not back down because it is no longer a popular belief. I believe now more than ever, we need to stand strong for the things of God. Our world is becoming so upside down that it is easy to give up and just go along with the flow..but if we as Christians can hold to what we know to be truth, God will gives us strength to be a Christian in a world that is becoming godless.
I encourage all of you who want to live for God. Stand strong, fight the good fight of faith and don't let go of the things of God.
God is Good!